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MEMORIAL 



MARVIN WAIT. 



MEMORIAL 



OF 



MARVIN WAIT, 

(1st Lieutenant Eighth Eegiment 0. V.,) 
SEPTEMBER 17th, 1862. 



AVKITTEN 15Y 



JACOB EATON, 

(.Formerly 1st Lieutenant Eighth Kegiment C. V.) 



NEW HAVEN: 
THOMAS J. STAFFORD, PRINTER, 235 STATE STREET. 

1863. 



.5" 



This Memorial of Lieutenant "Wait was originally written for 
The Connecticut War Jiecord, but thinking that the family and 
friends of the deceased might derive a mournful pleasure from 
having it in a sepai'ate form, the writer has added to the original 
sketch, and publishes it as a tribute of respect to a brave and de- 
serving companion in arms. 

Biographical sketches of the noble men who have fallen in this 
struggle for national unity and existence, will be of much interest 
in future years. They will impart valuable lessons, and inspire to 
noble deeds. 

J. E. 



M E M O li I A L. 



Makvix AVait, tlie son of Jolm T. AVait, was born 
at Norwich, January 21, 1843. He received a thorongli 
academical education at the Free Academy in Norwich, 
and at the Williston Academy in East Hampton, Mas- 
sachusetts, with the intention of preparing himself to 
pursue the profession of law, — [the profession of his 
father, and also of liis grandfather, Judge Marvin Wait, 
of New London, after whom he was named.] He made 
such' proficiency in his studies, that he entered Union 
College, at Schenectady, in the fall of 1860. Possess- 
ing a vigorous mind and tenacious memory, he made 
rapid progress in his collegiate course. He remained 
in college till near the close of the second term, Fresh- 
man year, when, his health failing him, he returned 
home, and in March, 1861, went to Europe. He passed 
nearly five months in this tour, visiting Belgium, Hol- 
land, and the North of England. On his return from 
Europe he was very solicitous to enter the army, but 
was finally induced to resume his course in college in 
the fall of 1861. But he was not willing to remain a 
mere spectator of the great struggle for national unity 



and life. His noble heart kindled with a manly, unself- 
ish desire to aid in defending and perpetuating our Re- 
publican Democracy. He remained but a short time in 
collesre, when he and several other students withdrew, 
and entered the army. Immediately after returning 
home, he enlisted as a private soldier in Captain Ward's 
Company, (D,) Eighth Regiment Connecticut Volun- 
teers. At Jamaica, Long Island, he was detailed to act 
as orderly for Colonel Harland. At Annapolis, Mary- 
land, he was promoted to be Second Lieutenant in Com- 
pany A, of his regiment, and was immediately detached 
as a " signal officer," in which capacity he distinguished 
himself for his readiness to acquire, and for the rapidity 
and correctness with which he discharged the duties of 
his appointment. "He served as a member of the 
'signal corps' at the battle of Roanoke Island, on Burn- 
side's flag-ship, and at the reduction of Fort Macon," in 
which engagement he was commended as follows, in the 
official report of Lieutenant Andrews : 

" I was the only officer on Beaufort Station until the 
27th iust., when Lieutenant Marvix Wait reported for 
duty. My station was at a right angle with the line of 
fire, so that I was enabled to judge with accuracy the 
distance over or short a shot fell. The ten-inch shell 
were falling almost without exception more than three 
hundred yards beyond the Fort. Lieutenant Wait and 
myself continued to signal to the officer in charge until 
the correct range was obtained. The eight-inch shell 
were falling short — we signaled to the officer in charge 



of that battery witli tlie same effect. The same was the 
case with the battery of Parrott girns, which was too 
much elevated. From the position of our batteries, it 
was impossible for tlie officers in charge to see how 
tlicir shots fell, but owing to the observations made by 
Lieutenant Wait and myself, and signaled to them 
from time to time, an accurate range was obtained by 
all the batteries, and was not lost during the day. Af- 
ter 12 M. every shot fired from our latteries fell in or 
on tlie Fort. At 4 o'clock, P. M., a white flag appeared 
on the Fort. The pro])osition to surrender, and the re- 
ply, with terms of capitulation, were sent to and from 
General Burnsidc, through this station, by Lieutenant 
Wait and myself." '"* 

He served under Burnside during his whole campaign 
in North Carolina, winning everywhere the good opinions 
of his comrads, and the praise of his superior officers. 
His versatile talents, his well-stored memory, his vivid 
imagination, ready command of language, pleasing man- 
ners, and frank, generous disposition, rendered liim a 
favorite with the officers and men of his regiment. As 
an officer, he was prompt, firm, fearless, and patriotic. 

Wlien a part of the Ninth Army Corps, under Gen- 
eral Burnside, left North Carolina, on July 6th, 1862, 
Lieutenant Wait returned to his company, having 
been commissioned a short time before as First Lieuten- 



* The fatlu'i- of tlie (k-cear^cd lias in his possession a vcrj- beautiful " battle flni^," 
awarded to his son hy the head of the Signal Department fur ineritorious conduct 
in the reduction of Fort Macon. 



ant. He returned to Norwich a short time after with 
the body of Lieutenant Breed, who was detached from 
his regiment, (the Eighth Connecticut Volunteers,) for 
service on the " signal corps," and who died at Newport 
News, Va., in the beginning of an honorable, valiant, 
patriotic career. Lieutenant Wait rejoined his regi- 
ment at Fredericksburg, just before it evacuated that 
place. He was ever found with his com23any at the 
post of duty and of danger in the arduous and eventful 
campaign in Maryland. He never required his men to 
endure hardships which he was unwilling to share, nor 
to face dangers in which he was afraid to participate. 
The firmness, intelligence, and loyalty peculiar to the sons 
of New England, were strongly developed in his char- 
acter, and exhibited in his army life. He possessed 
those qualities which would have rendered him success- 
ful and celebrated in the 2;)rofession for which he was 
preparing himself. 

We will now briefly consider the closing scenes in liis 
noble life. 

During the terrible and mighty conflict at Antietam, 
his courage, valor, and patriotism, reached their sad l)ut 
sublime consummation. Here he wrote his claim to 
honor and gratitude with his own blood. He wrote so 
deeply and indelibly that the hand of time will never 
erase it. Being under fire on the morning of the iTth 
of September, a ball from a rebel battery struck in the 
midst of his company, killing three men, and severely 
wounding another. Lieutenant Wait was covered with 



blood and earth. The shot produced some confusion in 
the company, and several of the men commenced giving 
way. The brave fellow sprung to his feet amid a sliow- 
er of bullets, and ordered every man back to his post, 
in the most gallant manner. After this, our regiment 
occupied a hill crest, on the north side of the Antietam, 
till nearly 5 o'clock, P. M. We then crossed the his- 
toric stream preparatory to charging upon the enemy's 
right flank. As we ascended the precipitous ridge 
which skirts the Antietam on the south, I saw and salu- 
ted Lieutenant Wait. As the company to which he 
belonged was next to the one on the extreme left, and 
my own next to the one on the extreme right flank, we 
seldom saw each other on the march. But as the veoi- 
ment was here countermarched, we passed each other. 
This took place less than an hour before lie was killed. 
The expression which rested ujion his countenance, and 
his whole manner, are indelibly fixed in my mind. The 
manly, heroic, determined fire of his eye, and the bat- 
tle smile of loyalty which rested uj)on his youthful face, 
told how sublime was his purpose, how great was his 
devotion to country. He comj)rehended the important 
and stupendous issues of the conflict. He gave all that 
he could give to the cause of Justice, Law, and Liberty 
— his young and promising life. 

Permit me to briefly refer in this connection to the 
sanguinary and unsuccessful charge in which Lieutenant 
Wait and hundreds of other Connecticut men fell 
bravely fighting. At half past five o'clock Rodman's 



Division of the Ninth Corps was ordered to carry the 
enemy's position on their extreme right. "We had to 
ascend several parallel ridges of considerable elevation 
before reaching the rebel lines. The enemy poured a 
furious and galling cross-fire upon us from two batteries 
as we were massed at the foot of the first ridsre await- 
ing the disposition of our artillery. The enemy had all 
the advantage of position, and as their lines were hid- 
den by the hill crests, we could not determine their I'eal 
strength. After our batteries in advance engaged those 
of the enemy, we moved on the double-quick over the 
first ridge, and took a position at the foot of the second. 
The advancing lines, which consisted of two brigades, 
here halted preparatory to making the final assault. 
The rel)el host was but a few rods in advance. The 
First Brigade (Hawkin's) was to charge ; the Second 
Brigade (Harland's) was to act as a reserve. The 
Eighth and the Sixteenth Connecticut were in the Sec- 
ond Brigade. Beyond the crest which covered our lines 
was a slight depression or hollow, bounded by another 
gentle ridge in advance ; then came an open lot, skirted 
by a cornfield to the left, toward the Antietam. On 
the opposite side of the open field, behind an embank- 
ment formed by the road which runs up to Sharpsburg, 
was posted a rebel brigade. In the cornfield to the left 
was concealed another rebel briorade. These lines were 
strongly supported. Thus our slender line was exposed 
to a murderous fire on the front and on the flank. And 
it is well known that many of the regiments previously 



repulsed on the enemy's left were afterwards massed 
upon tlieir right, to meet the very charge which we 
finally made. Every one loho confronted tlie rebels in 
the charge upon tlieir right Icnoics that ive only failed for 
want of siijpjyort. As the First Brigade became en- 
gaged with the enemy, a simultaneous flash of fire and 
roll of musketry with the terrific thuiuler of nearly 
three hundred pieces of artillery blazed and crashed 
from the right to the left of both armies, a distance of 
four miles. It was a scene sublimely and terribly 
grand. The First Brigade was soon swept away by a 
withering fire. Our brigade was then ordered to ad- 
vance into the harvest of death. On we pressed over 
the wounded, dying, dead, and halting within twenty 
rods of the enemy, poured upon tlieir exultant masses a 
storm of defiance and death. Shot, and shell, and mus- 
ket balls hurtled, screamed and hissed through the air. 
The Sixteenth Connecticut, which was next on our left, 
did all they could do, and that was little. Having en- 
tered the field but a few days before, unused to move- 
ments in line under fire, and becoming massed together 
within a few yards of a concealed foe, they were soon 
forced, broken and bleeding, back. (The men stood 
nobly and fought as well and as long as they could.)* 
The Fourth Rhode Island gave away for some reasons 
best known by themselves. 

* It was asserted by some of the officers and men on the loft of our regiment, 
that the enemy raised the National Flay, above the tall, rank corn, tliereby de- 
ceiving and fatal!}- entrapping the Sixteenth Regiment. I passed the order, at 
one time, to those on my right, to " cease firing," as we were firing on our friend:?. 



10 

It may seem like interested praise to some, but his- 
tory permits me to say truthfully that the old Eighth 
seemed to be fired with immortal courage on the crim- 
soned heights of Antietam. Its record shows that one 
half its number there fell either killed or wounded. In 
vain this out-flanked, decimi^ted regiment tried to roll 
back the living tide which set against them. Volley 
after volley they poured into the very front and face of 
the exultant enemy. Deeds of valor, unwavering cour- 
age, even desperation of purpose, could not press back 
the foe.'" Amono; the bravest who there fouo-ht and fell 
was Lieutenant Wait. " Just before he was wounded he 
was seen closing up the ranks of his company and dress- 
ing them in line as deliberately as though on dress pa- 
rade." Capt. Coit, an accomplished oflicer and most re- 
liable man, wrote as follows, soon after the battle, con- 
cerning Lieutenant Wait's death : " The Chaplain took 
Lieutenant Wait to a sheltered spot under the fence," 
(about five rods in rear of the line,) " and after looking 
at his wounds left him, telling him he would send an 
ambulance as soon as possible, supposing that we should 
be able to hold the field till reinforcements arrived to 
drive back the rebels. If Lieutenant Wait had only 
left the battle of his own accord when first hit in the 
arm, all would have been well, but he bravely stood to 
encourage his men still further by his own example, and 

* While the rebels were being constantly reinforced on their right by regi- 
ments and brigades drawn from their left, not a man nor a battery was sent to our 
relief. Our men, after being outflanked and severely pressed in front, withdrew 
slowly and in good order, firing as they went. 



11 

cit la^^t nobly fell pierced by bullet after bullet." IMajor 
Ward, of tlie Eighth, wrote as folloAvs to the afflicted 
parents : " When first wounded he was advised to 
leave, but would not, and before leaving received three 
shots. I think, however, that his mortal wound was re- 
ceived while being taken to the rear. The loss of your 
son is- a great one to the regiment. No officer could 
have been more popular, either ^^'ith the men or with 
his brother officers. By his soldierly qualities, good 
spirits and easy manners he had endeared himself to 
every one in the least acquainted with him. lie died 
in a good cause, and like a brave man." Captain Hoyt, 
of Co. A, said in a letter to the parents of the deceased, 
" Lieutenant Marvin Wait fell at his post while urging 
on his men into that terrible storm of shot and shell. 
He was a brave, noble-hearted man, and highly esteemed 
by all who knew liim." The unflinching hero was first 
wounded in the right arm, which was shattered. He 
then dro^^ped his sword to his left hand ; he was after- 
wards wounded in the left arm, in the leg, and in the 
abdomen. He was then assisted to leave the line by 
private King, who soon met Mr. Morris, the brave, in- 
defatigable Chaplain of the Eighth Kegiment. The 
Chaplain then conducted Lieutenant A¥ait to the fence 
before alluded to, and private King returned to his 
company. Lieutenant Wait's last words to j^rivate 
King were, " are we wiiippixg them ? " * A braver man 



* As the enemy advanced on tlie left tlank of our refjiment, tliey delivered an 
enfilading- fire. It was under this fire that Lieutenant Wait was pierced by a 
minnieball, (while laying Mr wounded behind a low wall, ) which passed through 
his lun"-s from side to side. 



12 

tlian Mara^n Wait never confronted a foe; a more 
generous heart never beat : a more unselfish patriot 
never fell. Connecticut may well cherish and honor the 
memory of such sons. 

The following Resolutions, expressing the high esteem 
in which Lieutenant Wait was held as an officer and com- 
panion, and tendering the highest regard and deepest sym- 
pathy to the family of the deceased, were adopted, after 
appropriate remarks, l)y the officers of the Eighth Reg- 
iment, at Pleasant Valley, Md., Oct. 10, 1862:-" 

Whereas, It liatb pleased the Ruler of the Universe to remove from our number 
Lieutenant Marvin Wait, an officer whose character for strict intejirity, honesty 
of purjiose, andclevotion to the cause in Avliich he was engaged, was only equaled 
by those warm social qualities which were ever the admiration of his many 
friends, and in token of our regard fur the memory of the deceased, we record 
these, our Resolutions : 

Besolvcd, That it is with feelings of deej) and unfeigned sorrow that we deplore 
the death of Lieutenant Marvix Wait, one of our most worthy officers, who, by 
the strictest care and closest diligence to his various duties, gave character and 
prominence to his position, and around whom continued glories gracefully clus- 
tered, nntil death terminated his brilliant career, on the ever memorable battle, 
field of Antiktam, Sept. 17, 1862. 

Resolved, That in this dispensation of Divine Providence our country has lost 
a brave and earnest defender, mIiosc steadfast and courageous demeanor before 
the enemy commanded the admiration of all ; one that shed his blood willingly 
knowing that it was in a Righteous Cause, and whose motto ever was, " Peace, 
while the Rebellion bre.ithes, is dishonor." His conduct was always such as to 
do honor to himself and lionor to his country, and while we mourn his loss and 
deeply sympathize with his bereaved friends, he is entitled to a nation's gratitude. 
Resolved, That a copy of these Resolutions be transmitted to the family of the 
deceased, and to the Norwich Bulletin for publication. 

J. Edward Ward, President. 
Henry C. Hall, Secretary. 

The following resolutions were passed by the class of 
'64, of Union College. 

At a meeting of the class of '64, of LTnion College, held Oct. 1, 18G2, the fol- 
lowing preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted: 

* The regiment was in an unsettled condition for many days after the battle, 
■therefore the adoption of these Resolutions was necessarily deferred till Oct. 10th. 



13 



Whereas, It has pleased God in Ills all-wise providence to remove from our 
midst a beloved classmate, Marvin Wait, First Lieutenant Eighth Regiment 
Connecticut Volunteers, who, at the battle of Antletam, fighting in behalf of 
his country, fell gallantly defending the flag we all love, therefore, 
Jiesolved, That we tender our warmest sympathies to his bereaved family, and 

as they have lost a beloved son and brother, so we mourn the loss of a beloved 

classmate, whom to know was to love and respect. 

Jiesolved, That as a token of respect, we wear the usual badge of mournin"- for 

the space of thirty days. 

Resolved, That a copy of these Resolutions be published in the Schenectadv 

Star and Times, and a copy of the same be sent to the family of the deceased. 

Charles II. Tillinghast, ) 

Edward B. Magoun, V Comtnittee. 

J. Elder Ralston, ) 

Elisiia Curtis, Secretary. D. Van IIome, President. 

From the Norwich Bulletin. 
Funeral Ceremonies of Liieut. Marvin AVait. 

The funeral of Lieutenant Wait was very numerously attended, notwithstaudin<»- 
the unpleasantness of the day. There were private services at the house in the fore- 
noon. The exercises at the church in the afternoon commenced at half past two. 
The coffin was placed in the vestibule of the church, draped witli tlie stars and 
stripes, and decorated with flowers. On it also were placed a sword and cajj, the 
equipments of his rank. The exercises at the church commenced with the singin"- 
of a voluntary by the choir, followed by the reading of the Scriptures by the Rev- 
Dr. Bond, and a prayer by the Rev. Mr. Arms. After the singing of a hymn, a 
short address commemorative of the life and services of Lieutenant Wait, was de- 
livered by Geo. Pratt, Esq., of this city. After alluding to the jiersonal qualities of 
the deceased, to his kindly heart, his genial disposition, his warm and friendly 
nature, which made him beloved and popular among all his associates, of his in- 
tellectual qualities, which promised so well for the future, the speaker enlarged 
upon his career as a soldier, of the honor he had won, of the lasting fame that 
would be his. And speaking of the battle in which he died and the noble part 
taken by Connecticut regiments, the address concluded as follows: 

And now, Avhat more can I say ? What words can add beauty to such a life, 
or what praise ennoble such a death ? When we think of those who fell on that 
field, we count them all heroes — we name them all among the brave. 

" They died like heroes, for uo recreant step 
Had e'er dishonored them, no stain of fear, 
No base despair, no cowardly recoil : 
They had the hearts of freemen to the last, 
And tlio free blood that bounded in their veins 
Was shed for freedom with a liberal joy." 

Yes, the names of those who fell will be handed down with imperishable glorj- 
and lasting fame. Our children's children shall rise up and call them blessed, for 



14 



thej ilied fighting on the side of the Right, in a contest between Riglit and 
Wrong. 

"Who would not be j^roiid to be one of such a brave and immortal band ? AVho 
would not be prouder still that where all were so brave, the one they loved be- 
came conspicuous for bravery ? Such honor, rarely achieved, this young hero 
won. All alike, oflficers and soldiers, speak of his dauntless and conspicuous cour- 
age. All tell of the way his brave and animating voice rang through the ranks 
of the men, urging them on to victory. A century, had he lived so long, would 
have brought him no prouder moment in which to die. Dying, as he did, on the 
banks of that little creek, then unknown, now immortal, he becomes for us and 
ours, forever a name and a memory. 

True, he lies here, unheeding all our praises, silent and cold in death. But 
what a sweet and inexpressible consolation it is to the living, that the one whom 
they mourn died honorably and gloriously. A long life, uneventful and insignifi- 
cant, is for the many, a glorious death, a lasting and honorable memorj- is the 
boon of but a few. 

To-day his native town writes him among her list of heroes ; his native State 
does him honor in the pei'son of her Chief Magistrate ; the nation thanks his 
memory as one among those who saved her in the hour of peril. Such honor as 
we can pay is now his. We bury liim here, far away from the field of his fame, 
in the midst of the scenes he loved so well ; knowing this, that although we may 
die and be forgotten, his name shall be honored and remembered, and as we lay 
him to rest, our hearts, one and all, say, "Brave spirit, noble young heart, fare- 
well ! " 

The exercises at the church being concluded, the body was escorted to the 
grave by the Norwich Light Infantry, preceded by the band, and a long proces- 
sion of carriages accompanj-ing. At the grave Gov. Buckingham made some 
touching remarks, enlarging upon the bravery of Lieutenant Wait, and speaking 
of his own pei'sonal feeling toward tiiose officers and soldiers that he had been in- 
strumental in sending forth to the wnr. He spoke of the glory of dying for such 
a cause, and especially in such a contest as he died Avho was then committed to 
the grave. 

The Company then fired three vollej's over his grave, the benediction was pro- 
nounced by the Rev. Mr. Arms, and the impressive ceremony was over. The as- 
semblage was very large at the funeral. The sympathy felt for the family in this 
their great affliction, has been, and is, deep and wide-spread. The Mayor and 
Common Council of the city attended in a bod}'-, and the field and line officers of 
the Twenty-sixth Regiment were also present.* 

* Resolutions, expressing a high regard for the deceased, and profound sympa- 
thy for the bereaved family, were passed by the " Common Council" of Norwich" 



15 



ELEGY. 

{Lieut. Marvin Wait fell in the battle of Antietam.) 

V.Y UOBART BLANC. 

His gallant young spirit, so ardent and bold, 

Forth has gone ou its long march eternal, 
And the warm, beating heart is now dead, still and cold, 

That o'erran with all feelings fraternal. 
The eye that was lighted with honor and triitli, 

And often with love and devotion. 
Is cold as the sod that has covered his youth, 

And dark as the depths of the ocean. 
His smooth boyish cheek, where the summer's warm breath 

Had left but the faintest of traces, , 

Is pale as the snow at the cold touch of death, 

And bereft of its blossoming graces. 
He was youthful in years, but let justice be done 

To the spirit high daring and tender ; 
His country can honor, 'mid all her brave sons, 

Xo bolder and truer defender. 
AVhere the iron hail flew like a tempest of wrath, 

Ho stood with the battle storm round him ; 
Where blood, shed like rain, made a dark, gory path, 

The death that had sought him there found him. 
It found him — it smote him— Oh ! God, that thine arm 

Had stretched forth a shield and a shelter, 
To ward from his person all evil and harm — 

Left there on the red field to welter. 
Bear him back from the field where he gallantly fell, 

To the shade of the hills of his childhood ; 
Through the boughs of the maple let symphonies swell 

O'er his grave by the green spreading wild-wood. \ 

And the mountain brooks dashing so swiftly along, ,,. \ 

As to listening willows they prattle, -i 

Shall chant, as they go, the sad requiem song 

Of the soldier who sleeps from Life's battle. New York Atlas. 

Tlius have I endeavored to honor aright the noble 
spirit, and to carefully record the heroic deeds of a kind 
companion and true patriot. The sacrifice which he 
made was precious, invalual)le ; it was not in vain. Our 
best and bravest sons have cheerfully endured priva- 
tions, wounds ; they have met death with sublime calm- 



16 

ness and devotion, that otliers, in tlie present and fu- 
ture, may live in security, and enjoy the blessings of 
Civil and Religious Liberty, The names, the deeds, 
the graves of our patriot dead are sacred — they are the 
nation's heritage and honor. 

Sorrowing hearts and desolate homes are the imme- 
diate results of this gigantic struggle ; but indj vidual 
blessing, State integrity, national honor and security, 
renovation and rejoicing throughout the world, under 
God's guidance and blessing, Avill be the ultimate, en- 
duriusr fruits. 

The men who have held domestic comforts and 
the endearments of home subordinate to their duty to 
country in this hour of national peril, are the noblest, 
the immortal benefactors of the human race. They 
will have lived, acted, died, in the world's greatest and 
grandest era. Such men may sink to gory graves, but 
they will be remembered, emulated, honored, in all time. 
The injured and wronged in all lands will draw moral 
inspiration from their self-devotion and sacrifice for 
Libej'i^, Justice, Right. 

I would\close with a few inadequate words of sym- 
pathy and kindly regard for the beloved and bereaved 
family from whose ha23py circle a dear son and brother 
has been early removed. A life of unusual promise met 
with a violent but sublime termination. You have laid 
a precious offering upon the patrial altar. Let this re- 
collection mitigate your sorrow, and in' the Divine 
Father, " who giveth songs in the night," may you find 
adequate consolation and rest of soul. 






t 



\ 






LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



013 709 079 A 



HoIIinger 

pH8.5 

Mill Run F3.1955 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



013 709 079 A 



HoUinger 

pH8.5 

Mill Run F3-1955 



